For the fifth Multicultural Night to Unite Kickoff, people of Coon Rapids with heritage spanning the globe got a chance to share their cultures right in our community at Sand Creek Park on Monday night. This event has seen its attendance triple since it started. With multiple cultures on display, its roots of different music and food is what brings people together.
"Our neighbors put on performances of their cultural dance or music and we can all just talk and get to know each other and see what our neighbors are up to," said Lori Anderson of Transformative Circle, the non-profit group which organizes the annual event.
And what better way to help expand people's horizons and understanding of different cultures, then free food from the event.
"We give away the food because we want people to try new things," Anderson said. "These new things are made by their neighbors so it's a way of connecting with your neighbors."
Connecting people one plate and conversation at a time.
"It does help, it might be a little ripple but I think it helps open minds and It gets people excited to help get to know their neighbors and meet new people," Andersons said.